Multistage Free-Flight Testing System

A method of assessing the flight performance of a test vehicle, the method comprising:

• lifting a drop platform to a desired altitude using a lifting device, the drop platform including a plurality of projectile bays and platform avionics;
• initiating release of each projectile from each projectile bay at a pre-defined interval upon receiving a drop signal from the lifting device;
• accelerating a dropped projectile to supersonic, transonic, or subsonic speeds, the dropped projectile housing the test vehicle;
• ejecting the test vehicle from the dropped projectile using an ejection mechanism of the dropped projectile upon reaching a desired Mach number, a desired target altitude, or a combination thereof;
• and
• collecting data for the test vehicle using a plurality of sensors within the test vehicle during deceleration, descent, and landing of the test vehicle.

A projectile for accelerating a test article to a desired test condition, the projectile comprising:

• an aerodynamic body defining a ballast section at a lower end thereof and a plurality of fins at an upper end;
• an avionics section within the aerodynamic body and housing projectile avionics operable to trigger release of the test article from the projectile upon reaching the desired test condition;
• a test article section housing the test article within the aerodynamic body;
• and
• an ejection mechanism within the aerodynamic body, the ejection mechanism operable to eject the test article from the projectile when triggered by the projectile avionics.